Tyronn Lue is the smartest, most valuable head coach in all of basketball
Tyronn Lue quickly became known as one of the smartest head coaches in the NBA. Lue was the former assistant coach behind Doc Rivers. After the LA Clippers managed to blow a 3-1 lead versus the Denver Nuggets, Rivers was eventually fired. The LA Clippers replaced Rivers with his assistant in hopes that things would change. Fortunately, they did.
Lue is known for his in-game adjustments and how he has led numerous comebacks in just two years as the head coach. Lue, with the help of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, helped turn this franchise around very quickly. Lue has received praise from all over the league and is seen by his players to be the best head coach in the NBA.
Reggie Jackson calls Tyronn Lue "the best coach in the league." Lue, coincidentally was asked by @melissarohlin about his case for Coach of the Year earlier and Lue said he'd vote for J.B. Bickerstaff.
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) February 4, 2022
Although the 2022 season ended early for the LA Clippers, it is still very clear that Lue is one of the best coaches in the NBA. Managing to win numerous games without his two franchise stars is not easy. Players such as Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum, Luke Kennard, and Ivica Zubac played extremely well all season long, making this season a success, even though it ended early. The LA Clippers enter next season fully healthy as they hope to win their first-ever title. Let’s dive in and see what makes Lue the best head coach and why next season may be the year the LA Clippers win a ring.
LA Clippers’ Head Coach Tyronn Lue is a mastermind.
In Ty Lue’s first season as the LA Clippers head coach, he won 47 games and was tied for the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. The playoffs began and things did not begin well as they went down 0-2 versus the Dallas Mavericks. But knowing Lue and the LA Clippers, they came back and won the series in seven games.
As they advanced to the second round of the playoffs, they faced the Utah Jazz. Once again, things did not begin well as they went down 0-2. The LA Clippers eventually tied the series, but Leonard went down with an ACL tear. Lue and the Clippers managed to beat the Jazz in six games with miraculous performances from George and Mann. As the Clippers advanced to their first-ever Western Conference Finals, they lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Against all the odds, Lue led his team to their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance. As the next season began, Leonard remained out as he was recovering from his ACL injury. On December 25, 2021, it was revealed that George suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow–leaving the LA Clippers without their two best players.
Once again, Lue and the Clippers delivered. Lue managed to lead his team to win 42 games and finish as the 8th seed. Throughout the season, Lue managed to lead numerous comebacks against teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and many more. There were some notable wins against teams such as the Brooklyn Nets in which the LA Clippers were injury-riddled while also battling with COVID-19 safety protocols.
What makes Lue such a mastermind is his in-game adjustments. In the first round of the 2021 playoffs against the Mavericks, Luka Doncic was constantly taking advantage of Zubac’s slower mobility and Patrick Beverley’s size. Lue made the correct adjustments and played a small-ball lineup as well as taking Beverley out of the rotation.
A similar situation occurred against the Utah Jazz the very next round leading to a similar outcome of a small-ball lineup. Lue is also great at working with what he has hence the 42 wins during an injury-riddled season. After the addition of Robert Covington and Norman Powell, the load that was placed on players like Jackson and Morris was made easier. Although Powell got injured shortly after joining the Clippers, Lue managed to do what he does best.
Next. LA Clippers Success In The 2nd Round. dark
With a healthy roster, Lue’s elite coaching, and the ridiculous amount of talent on the LA Clippers roster, a championship run is likely to occur next season. The only factor holding the LA Clippers back from reaching their full potential is health. Even through COVID protocols and numerous injuries, this Clippers roster managed to win games. Lue finished 6th in coach of the year voting although the LA Clippers finished as the 8th seed. If the Clippers remain healthy throughout the 2022-23 NBA season, a 50+ win season is inevitable. It is mind-boggling what the LA Clippers will do at full health.